From left, City Councilmember Tim Schaefer, Citrus Heights Mayor Dr. Jayna Karpinski-Costa, Vice-Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff and City Manager Ashley J. Feeney are at the 2024 State of the City Address. Photo by Paul V. Scholl

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The annual 2024 Citrus Heights State of the City Address on Nov. 14 in City Council Chambers proved to be quite a highlight reel of achievement.

In all, the city welcomed some 740 new businesses during the past year, including the recent grand opening of HomeGoods, Amazon Fresh and Club Studio Fitness, just to name a few.

The annual State of the City address supports one of the city’s strategic goals: to enhance community vibrancy and engagement, said Mayor Dr. Jayna Karpinski-Costa who provided opening remarks before City Manager Ashley J. Feeney then summarized the city’s accomplishments in greater detail.

The Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce hosted a welcome reception prior to the State of the City address in Council Chambers.

Mayor Karpinski-Costa recognized business owners, elected officials including county Supervisor Sue Frost, neighborhood leaders, Citrus Heights Police Department members and city staff for their dedication and collaborative spirit.

She also thanked Vice-Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff, and Councilmembers Tim Schaefer who were in attendance and fellow council member Porsche Middleton who was unable to attend.

“We’ve taken big steps to beautify our community by creating a comprehensive toolbox to achieve a new level of cleanliness and pride,” Karpinski-Costa said. “Businesses propel our community and I hope to make the city of Citrus Heights a top choice for business innovation in the region.”

The city will take steps in January to launch a new Neighborhood Area Awareness program, she said.

“We’ve listened to feedback from residents who don’t know why they should join a neighborhood association and how they can get involved,” Karpinski-Costa added.

The city is divided into 11 neighborhoods with nine different neighborhood organizations representing each area, with areas 7, 8 and 9 being combined. A Neighborhood Association, also referred to as a Neighborhood Area, is a group of neighbors working together and sharing common concerns to help make their neighborhood safer.

A year-in-review flier highlighted monthly milestones that shaped the community during the past year in areas of public safety, infrastructure, community engagement and economic growth.

Two citywide mailers, 584 shared social media posts and 38 e-newsletters and news flashes were distributed during the past year. A comprehensive Citrus Heights Cares guide was also mailed to all residents.

The Citrus Heights Business Attraction Incentive Program was recognized to help provide DarkHeart Brewery with a financial incentive to relocate from Sacramento to Sylvan Corners this year.

The Citrus Heights City Council will hear a proposed amendment for Sunrise Mall under the Sunrise Tomorrow plan in January. While the city does not own the mall site, Karpinski-Costa said, its redevelopment will be driven by the property owners who bring forward projects consistent with the (Sunrise Tomorrow) plan vision.

“Our commitment to public safety and making the city of Citrus Heights a safe place is unwavering,” said Feeney. “Together, we’re building a strong, connected community.”

Feeney recognized the critical role of agency partners and the City Council in being mindful stewards of fiscal resources where careful budget management has added $5.7 million into the city reserve for Fscal Year 2023-24.

Police staffing has normalized, Feeney said.

“We’re attracting interested personnel from other areas to join CHPD,” Feeney said.

In all, some 23 police roles were filled during the past year, adding to Impact Team, traffic and special investigation functions.

From January 2024 through November 2024, the Citrus Heights Police Department (CHPD) answered 71,771 calls for police service. Officers conducted 2,672 arrests and gave 3,018 traffic citations, which are up 19 percent this year.

Members of the Citrus Heights Police Department dispatch department were praised for 96.87 percent emergency- call response within 15 seconds. Three prosecutions under the city’s Chronic Nuisance Offender program were reported and the first Sacramento County homicide charges against a fentanyl dealer were filed. A school safety liaison program was also added.

Efforts by the Citrus Heights Police Department to combat organized retail theft enforcement using funds from a $2.9 million grant for proactive prevention is proving successful, Feeney said.

The city has also launched a second round of community projects grants, disbursing $150,000 in community support funding to local nonprofits.

The city also issued 29 permits for the construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), performed more than 6,700 building inspections, completed 4,025 building plan reviews and issued more than 3,200 building permits.

Feeney also recognized the collaborative inter-agency work that resulted in the grand opening of Arcade Cripple Creek Trail, which was awarded the American Public Works Association Project of the Year.

The city also hosted 10 community events during the past year, frequently deploying its block party trailer, which is available for public rental, to the popular Stars and Stripes July 4 Celebration and Sunday Funday in Rusch Community Park, which each attracted more than 7,500 attendees.

Many residents enjoyed an opportunity to meet their neighbors during one of the second annual “City Scoop” summer ice cream socials held throughout the city, sponsored by Leatherby’s ice cream.

The city celebrated the grand opening of Sunrise Point Apartments, the first affordable housing units built in the city in 20 years and the Fair Oaks Senior Apartments with 108 new affordable units. Some $2.65 million in federal funds toward the construction of 26 new Habitat for Humanity residential homes on Sayonara Drive was also secured by the city.

A luncheon Meals on Wheels café program returned for seniors at the Crosswoods Community Park adjacent to the Sylvan Public Library. The program was made possible through a partnership with the Sunrise Recreation and Parks District and Meals on Wheels and funded through the city’s Community Support Funds and the 2024 Community Development Block Grant, Feeney said.

The city observed “Good Neighbor Week” Sept. 28 through Oct. 4 and sponsored ArtBeat, a vibrant music and arts event at the Market Place at Birdcage shopping center.

A new Citrus Heights Volunteer Hub, a web initiative, was also launched to engage and connect interested volunteers and local nonprofit organizations that seek help with specific projects and special events, Feeney reported.

Feeney cited the success of the city’s “see, click and fix” initiative that encourages the public to help beautify their city and the ongoing work of the Beautification Crew, which picked up 82.24 tons of trash and debris and retrieved more than 1,396 shopping carts during the past year.

Through a coordinated, proactive effort to address general blight and illegal camps, the city is enhancing public spaces, infrastructure and community pride, Feeney said.

As a result of its efforts, the city has been awarded the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence by the League of California Cities for both its Beautification Crew Program and its Cares campaign.

The city is taking a multi-faceted approach to the city’s unhoused population by providing programs and service through multiple agencies to “help the unhoused while supporting accountability, and upholding order and public safety,” Feeney said. Community Health Worker program enrolled 95 individuals and housed 25 in the first seven months.

A new partnership with the local Sacramento County Bradshaw Animal Shelter that provides 24-hour, seven days a week phone coverage through the 311 call center was also started.

Major street improvement projects during the past year included the Dewey and Van Maren Drive infrastructure upgrades and construction of ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)-compliant curb ramps, and completion of the first phase resurfacing of San Juan Avenue.  Construction of the Old Auburn Gateway Activation project has begun. The city also completed 94,845 square feet of mill and fill street repair improvements.

A rebroadcast of the 2024 State of the City Address can be viewed on Metro Cable’s YouTube channel and on the city website at citrusheights.net.